No matter what anyone says, turning 40 is a big deal.
You spend your whole 39th year thinking about it.
At least I did.
Especially the last few months, weeks and days.
In just four more sleeps I will wake up 40.
40.
It sounds so… foreign.
You thought I was going to say old, didn’t you?
Hardly. I feel anything but old. Besides, isn’t 40 the new 30?
Some of my best friends are 40 and are doing it fabulously!
What you don’t think about are all the changes that happen to your body, your life, and your mind, ready or not. Life is definitely happening and I think 40 means you’ve got more of an opinion (for sure), more experience (debatable), more resources (thank goodness), more responsibility (ugh) and maybe even new dreams (yes!) of your ever changing future.
A lot of reminiscing and accounting takes place leading up to the big 4-0. I’ve been asking myself what I have accomplished in the last 10 years and what I’d like to tackle in the next 10. I can’t wait to experience what this new decade has in store for me.
In many ways it feels like it was just yesterday that I turned 30.
This decade has gone by so fast and it has been both the best and worst of my life.
I celebrated my 30th birthday at a favorite local restaurant.
It saddens me that of the 10 people at that table back in June 2002, two are dead and seven I no longer speak to with any sort of regularity. These were people I thought would always be in my life.
My marriage was falling apart and becoming a mother was the furthest thing from my mind. The one constant has been my sister, who I am eternally grateful for.
So, although the cast of characters has changed a bit, I am blessed to be surrounded by love, support and good people.
I’m ready for a new era, new beginnings and new adventures.
I’m ready to celebrate how far I’ve come and look forward to what lies ahead.
I plan to keep strutting my stuff and doing the best I can to be a good wife, mother, sister and friend.
Bring it on, 40.
I’m ready! 
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Happy birthday early, Tonya! I hope it’s the kickoff to a fabulous decade! Hope to also see you soon
I can’t believe we’re turning 40, this year! I’m STILL not ready!!!! I feel 30, and you look so 30! I really love this picture! Until next week, you’re still 39! Have a lovely week-end, Friend! XOXO
I love that picture of you and I’m sure you are going to rock your 40s!
That picture is so rock n roll! I LOVE IT!
I can’t believe you are turning 40! You are right…40 is the new 30 and you make it look GOOD, sista!
Love the photo! Isn’t it amazing and shocking what a difference 10 years can make? Happy birthday!
Oh you’re so going to rock 40, hot stuff! Happy (early) Birthday!
Look at you, girlfriend! You are *so* going to rock 40!
{Love every single word of this strong post!}
You are the quintessential 40-is-the-new-30 girl. Bring it!
I have 9 sleeps to go before I am 40. I am not sure that I am bothered by it either, but it is starting to feel big to me. Momentous. I feel as if there are big things ahead; I’m not looking to the past wistfully. I am going to do my best to rock it, too!
If that’s what 40 looks like? I can’t WAIT for 40. Rock on Tonya & Happy Birthday!
You are going to ROCK at 40! I love that picture of you!
That is an awesome picture!! I love it!
This year I will also celebrate my 40th birthday and I’m unsure what I think of it…. I think that I need to take some of your awesome attitude about it and just embrace it!
I hope that you have the most amazing birthday ever!